Apartment rents in Berkeley hit an all-time high last year. The population is growing with more affluent families moving in. Rents are about the same in Oakland, but they are much higher in San Francisco.

Berkeley Median Apartment Rents 2012

Two Bedroom: $1,850

One Bedroom: $1,325

(Source: Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board)

Berkeley Median Income Over the Years

2000: $44,242

2006: $51,256

2011: $61,351

(Source: U.S. Census Bureau)

Berkeley Population Over the Years

2000: 102,653

2006: 106,000

2011: 113,905

(Source: U.S. Census Bureau)

San Francisco Average Rents 2012

Two Bedroom: $2,748

One Bedroom: $2,629

(Source: RealFacts)

Oakland Average Rents 2012

Two Bedroom: $1,654

One Bedroom: $1,807

(Source: RealFacts)